Dear Supporters,
It’s hard to believe that it’s already August and fall is just around the corner. I hope you and your family have been able to enjoy the warm weather and sun.
July was certainly an exciting month at ACHIEVE, starting with the news and guidance by OPWDD in early July on reopening site-based day habilitation services to individuals. Our team had been planning in preparation for this news and has been using this guidance to roll out a conservative, phased-in reopening that ensures that the safety of individuals served is top priority. Things will look very different at our day habilitation sites, but we’re excited to see our individuals, and know that they are excited to get back; we all just need to work together to make sure we do it safely.
Following this news, we held another series of virtual town halls to address questions and concerns regarding reopening, as well as provide updates to other programs around the agency. We value the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with individuals supported and their family members, and thank everyone who joined us.
As we look into August, we’re saddened that we won’t be able to host Savor the Summer in the interest of community safety, but are thrilled to announce a new fundraiser, Share the Summer. Conceived to support the restaurants, wineries and breweries who have been a staple of Savor the Summer over the years by driving business to them, we’re proud to host this event through the remainder of the year and thank M&T Bank for their continued support as Presenting Sponsor.
Lastly, I’d invite our Members to join us on Thursday, August 20
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, at 6:00 PM for a historic digital Membership Meeting at ACHIEVE, where ACHIEVE members will elected their first self advocate to the Chapter Board of Directors! Information on becoming a Member and RSVP’ing to this important meeting is below.
While we’re happy that we can begin to slowly reopen and be together again as August arrives, we will continue to work tirelessly and diligently to make sure that we do so with everyone’s health and safety guiding our decisions.
Have a safe and wonderful August!
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Amy Howard
Chief Executive Officer
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Please take a moment to fill out
The Arc New York
's brief petition calling on New York State to extend retainer day payments, which have been critical to our agency and others throughout the state as we've grappled with COVID-19, while still providing services to those we serve!
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We’d like to take a moment and thank Senator Fred Akshar, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and Assemblyman Chris Friend for their letters to the Governor in opposition to these cuts. We’re so incredibly grateful to have their support and their support for the work we do.
To view the letters, click here!
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Become a Member of ACHIEVE for just $1!
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Do you have $1 to spare?
That's all it takes to become a member at ACHIEVE! Why is that important? Membership provides our agency the ability to advocate legislatively at the state and national levels for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF HAVING 2,200 MEMBERS!
Alone, we may only make a small impact, but together, we can do incredible work by supporting individuals throughout their lives to reach their full potential. Help ACHIEVE by signing up as a Member for $1.00 today, and recruit your friends and family to make all our voices heard!
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If you contributed to our 2020 Annual Appeal, as a thank you,
your membership has already been renewed, but please consider signing up your friends and family; the more members we have,
the stronger our voice!
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All current Members are invited to join us for our first digital Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, August 20
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at 6:00 PM, where they’ll vote on the above Slate of Officers , Committees and Board Members, including a historic vote for an ACHIEVE self-advocate, joining the Board of Directors!
We are required to have 50 Members present for a quorum,
so please consider joining us! You can RSVP by
clicking here!
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For over a decade ACHIEVE has hosted Savor the Summer. This tasting event has grown to become a premier event in the Southern Tier, thanks to the restaurants, wineries and craft breweries who have supported us!
2020 has presented many challenges for ACHIEVE, our amazing vendors, and our whole community.
Share the Summer
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presented by M&T Bank, was conceived to not only be a fundraiser for ACHIEVE, but a way for us to give back to the vendors and our community who have supported us through the years.
Your $50
Share the Summer Passport
has over $250 of saving towards dining at our incredible local restaurants, and can be purchased on our website. Your 2020 passport can be used throughout the rest of the year!
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ACHIEVE NY - Share the Summer - WBNG
(WBNG) -- ACHIEVE will host a fundraiser for their organization, Share the Summer, which will also give community members the opportunity to give back to restaurants in the Southern Tier. Over the past decade, ACHIEVE has hosted Savor the Summer, ...
Read more
wbng.com
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cGMP is Current Good Manufacturing Procedures set forth by the FDA. This is a set of standard procedures that ensures that the consumer is safe from any possible contamination or adulterated product that they may purchase.
It is required by the FDA that anyone that works in manufacturing or packaging of medical devices, over-the-counter product or, prescription medication receives training on the basics of cGMP on a yearly basis.
This year, CWS focused the training on details and following instructions, while at the same time having fun. As soon as staff walked into the training room, there was a sign stating that they could not touch the bag until told to do so. This was done to see if they could pay attention to the details in their surroundings.
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Throughout the training, prizes were awarded if the staff member could correctly answer a cGMP question.
Finally, the staff were tasked to build a widget out of Lego's. While building the widget, the instructor included multiple check points and a few mistakes to see if the staff were paying attention to the little details and could catch the error - all very important when packaging a product.
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CWS is always looking for new and exciting clients and products!
If you're a business owner with packaging needs, learn how CWS can help tell your story!
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Continuing to Move Forward during COVID
Submitted by: Renee Heaney, Job Coach
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Brittany has been a member of ACHIEVE through our Supported Employment Program for many years. Brittany currently works at Tioga Downs in the buffet, where she has worked since November of 2013. Brittany is a dishwasher and always receives excellent reviews from her managers and supervisors. Brittany is very dependable and an extremely hard worker who loves the hustle and bustle of the casino and their buffet.
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Unfortunately, due to the pandemic in March, Brittany found herself in a similar circumstance as many other people throughout the United States and is unemployed. However, rather than being disconcerted, Brittany has been adamant about finding a new job before she is fully unemployed. She has been meeting with her Job Coach once a week to complete job applications and to receive advice and guidance about job opportunities in her area.
Brittany is a hardworking individual, who shows that even when things in life don’t go as planned, we have to keep moving and work towards the next goal. Brittany’s journey shows how ACHIEVE strives to bring the best out of the individuals that we serve, and also assist them with continuing to maintain successful and meaningful employment, furthering their personal employment goals and dreams.
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ACHIEVE More & Diversify Your Workforce
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Attention area business owners: Are you interested in diversifying your workforce? Are you seeking dependable, quality employees? Please consider a partnership with ACHIEVE in our initiative to assist individuals of varying abilities find employment. We currently have a pool of 50 available applicants ready to meet your business needs.
For additional information please contact
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What better way to beat the summer heat than by creating some delicious sundaes! The individuals not only had so much fun making their individual sundaes, but they tasted great too!
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Bobby was one of the award winners at this year's Virtual Dance and Awards Party. He recently was given his physical certificate, and he couldn't have been more thrilled! Congratulations again, Bobby!
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Our staff and individuals have been spending as much time outside as they possibly can this summer. One of their favorite activities is making treats for the birds! After making these delicious treats, they get hung up and they get to sit on the porch and enjoy watching them!
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In order to spruce up the outside of the house, the ladies at our Helen Street house decorated pots so that they could plant some beautiful flowers. Not only did they come out beautiful, but they had an absolute blast doing it together!
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We're always finding new and fun ways to keep busy and stay active. Some of the individuals at our Hamilton house have been making dog treats for the local dog shelter, painting salt dough ornaments, puzzling, and having some Wii dance parties!
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Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
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The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation recently awarded ACHIEVE a $75,000 grant to assist in the development of a project at CWS Packaging. Thank you so much for the support of our agency and those we serve!
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National Disability Voter Registration Week
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ACHIEVE celebrated National Disability Voter Registration Week on July 13
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by actively encouraging staff and individuals to register to vote, being informed and exercising their voice.
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Scholarship Award Recipients
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The Foundation Board of Directors are pleased to offer two community service scholarships each year to qualifying Chenango County seniors. The Wilson Harrison and Dr. Nobel & Muriel Valerio Scholarships recognize two students for their volunteerism and commitment to human services.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients, Carson Maynard and Jessica Henderson! Thank you for your dedication to your community and good luck in the fall!
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Virtual Town Hall Meetings
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Thank you to all the family members, caregivers, staff and other supporters who joined us for our Virtual Town Halls! There was excellent dialogue, feedback and questions on what lies ahead as ACHIEVE looks to reopen, and we appreciate everyone who took the time!
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Congratulations to the following employees who received a promotion or position change in the month of June!
- Christine Hammond - Assistant Residential Manager
- Samantha Griffiths - FSS Coordinator
- Mellisa Ellis - Division Manager
- Kasey Hlebica - Residential Financial Coordinator
- Linda Bartola - Guardianship Coordinator
- Linwood Newman - Program Manager
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June 2020
Katie Huston
Program Manager
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On behalf of the Executive Management Team and the Staff Appreciation Committee, we are honored to award Katie Huston, Program Manager, with ACHIEVE's June Employee of the Month!
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Thank you to our 2020 Platinum Partners!
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Thank you to our 2020 Sponsors!
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